Boris Johnson Defends COVID-19 Handling at Inquiry, Admits to Mistakes

Former UK Prime Minister apologizes for 'pain and loss' suffered by COVID victims, but not for his own actions, amidst criticism from former colleagues and a high death toll.

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson defended his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic at a public inquiry, admitting to making mistakes but insisting the government did its best.
Johnson opened his testimony with an apology for the 'pain and the loss and the suffering of the COVID victims,' but not for any of his own actions.
Johnson was pushed out of office by his own Conservative Party in mid-2022 after multiple ethics scandals, including the revelation that he and staff members held parties in the prime minister's Downing Street offices in 2020 and 2021, flouting the government's lockdown restrictions.
Former colleagues, aides and advisers have painted an unflattering picture of Johnson and his government over weeks of testimony at the inquiry.
The U.K. has one of the highest COVID-19 death tolls in Europe, with the virus recorded as a cause of death for more than 232,000 people.